Substation fire cuts power to 38,000 customers near Chilliwack
Jan 2012Published 1 Nov 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): BC Hydro
What happened
On Friday 27 January 2012, a fire broke out at about 9:30 a.m. Pacific time at the Atchelitz substation, a BC Hydro facility on farmland just west of Chilliwack, British Columbia. Unconfirmed reports suggested that leaking fuel caught fire, and the flames spread to a nearby transformer, which exploded and burned out of control. Thick black smoke rose hundreds of metres and could be seen several kilometres away. BC Hydro turned off power at the substation so that fire crews could work safely, leaving about 38,000 customers in the region without power.
Residents were advised to stay indoors, close windows and turn off furnaces while officials assessed whether the smoke posed a health risk. Fire crews brought the flames under control by noon. Employees in the substation were accounted for, and one person was taken to hospital as a precaution. By noon power had been restored to some customers, but as many as 27,000 in Atchelitz and Sumas remained without supply. The substation serves about 50,000 customers. A spill response team was sent to the site.
Contributing factors
Unconfirmed reports suggested that leaking fuel caught fire before the flames spread to a nearby transformer. The official cause was not confirmed at the time of reporting. An environmental assessment team was to investigate.
Lessons learned
- Keep fuel and oil containment around substation transformers and equipment in good condition, so that a leak cannot reach an ignition source.
- Plan isolation procedures so that fire crews can work safely while supplies are rerouted to restore customers quickly.
- Prepare public health guidance on smoke from electrical fires, including shelter-in-place advice, in advance of an incident.
More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, worker safety and safe systems of work, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-11-01. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
